Page 81 of Derivation

“None taken,” Violet said. “I wasn’t either until I met Stella, and look how that worked out.”

“I just mean that, even if I were like that, and even if she were, I couldn’t just do that with her. It’s already more than that for me.”

“Good. She wants more.”

“But is she willing to risk whatever she’s worried about to have it with me?”

“I don’t know the answer to that, but my guess is that, if you give her some time, she’ll let you know.”

The garage door opened then, and Enya stood there.

“The door was locked,” Gabi noted.

“I used my key,” Enya replied and held up a key ring.

“We have keys to that lock?” Gabi asked.

“We have one, which is on my key ring. What are you two doing out here? I thought you might have accidentally closed the door and got locked in or something.”

“No, just talking. But we’re done, so if you want to talk about the mock-up now, we can,” Gabi said.

“Sarai just pulled in. She’s got coffee for everyone, so maybe after that.”

“Sure,” Gabi replied.

They left the garage and walked into the kitchen just as Arlowe and Sarai walked in carrying coffees for all of them and a bag of something.

“Oh. Vi, I didn’t know you were here, so I didn’t get you anything,” Sarai said.

“That’s fine. I’ve got a girlfriend to go wake up. Maybe I’ll make her breakfast in bed.”

“And then, get laid?” Arlowe teased.

“Hopefully,” Violet said and looked over at Gabi. “Are we good?”

Gabi nodded.

“All right. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Violet added and left the kitchen.

“What was that all about?” Arlowe asked.

“Just a question about the contract I signed, but it’s all straightened out now.”

“Good. I want to see what you’ve been working on,” Enya said. “I’m excited about it.”

“Me too,” she replied and smiled at Enya as the woman grabbed a bagel from the bag.

“Hey,” Sarai greeted.

“Hey. Good morning.”

“Yeah,” Sarai said before she grabbed her own coffee and walked out the back door, which meant that she headed for the swing.

CHAPTER 22

When Sarai walked into the kitchen Monday morning, she was surprised to see it empty. She checked her phone and noted the time. It was after eight. They usually got started officially at nine, but everyone was in the kitchen for breakfast or, at least, coffee by eight. She knew that Gabi was already gone because her car wasn’t in the driveway, which meant that Gabi was working from the office that day. Sarai hoped that none of their employees, like Mitchell or Clay, were coming in today because she wasn’t sure she could handle having extra people around. She had a lot of work to do on this plan for the possible launch of a partnership for their software. It would take months for any contracts to get signed after they found someone who was interested, but she needed to have all the logistics ready, and she needed her intern to do some research for her, so an email to her first thing was in order.

Surprised to not see anyone in the kitchen, she walked into the garage and found her three best friends sitting in their chairs, facing the door, staring up at her as she walked down the steps.